Machine for shaping shoe uppers



13, 1933. E. A HOLMGRE 1,913,445

MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Ot. 18 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig: 2.

NQ/JAAMM `une 13, 1933. X ER A HQLMGREN 1,913,445

MACHINE OR SHAPING SHOE UPERS Filed Oct. -18, 1930 5 SheetS-Sheet 4 #W5/v TUR.

June 13, 1933. E. A. HOLMGREN 1,913,445

MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPERS Filed Oct. 18, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 5.

Patented June .131," 1933 UNITED STATES vI ndl'llazrrr oFFlCE l' 'ERIC A. H-OLIIGBEN, 0l' LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, (ASSIGNOB T0 UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, 0F PATERSON, NEW' JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW maan v 4IIACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE UPPEBB v Application llled October 18,4930. Serial No. 489,627.`

This invention relates to machines for use `in the manufacture of shoes for shaping the upper materials, and is herein illustrated as A applied to a machine of the same general type. as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,7 26,833,

granted upon an earlier application of mine .on September 3, 1929, comprising means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of upper materials the toe-end portion ot which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe. It is to be understood, however, that in various as pects the invention is not limited to machines of that particular type. Y v

Machines of the character illustrated in the above-mentioned. Letters Patent include 1n their organization means for pulling the upper lengthwise relatively to the form over which its heel end is shaped, so as to stretch the heel-end portion of the upper properly at this stage in the manufacture of the shoe as well as to stretch, more or less, portions of thev upper located between its toeeand heel ends. An object 4ot the present invention is to provide improved means for thus pulling or stretching thcupper, having in view the application of a pull of such a character as to stretch uniformly all portions of the heel end of the upper engaged by the form without distortion of any portion of the upper. In one important aspect the invention accordingly provides upper-pulling means comprising a member shaped in substantial conformity to the desired contour of a large portion of the forepart of the upper for engaging the inside of the upper to pull it as required, the upper-pulling member herein shown being shaped to conform to the contour of the entire molded toe and also to the desired contour of a substantial portion of the forepart of the upper at the rear of the toe. The use of an upper-pulling member so constructed not only is of advantage in avoiding distortion of the previously molded toe, but also results in the application of a pull directly in lin'e with all portions of the heel end of the upper about the form so that the entire heel end is stretched uniformly. Further to assist in accomplishing the objects in view, the upper-pulling member in the machine herein ing the pull, the machine for this purpose being provided -with parallel links which support the member for upper-pulling movement. The machine is also provided with means for clamping the upper at the rear of the end of the toe against the upper-pulling member, so as to avoid any danger of excessive strain on the extreme end of the molded toe in thel upper-pulling operation.

In order to pull the upper uniformly and Without distortion in the manner above described, itis desirable that in the upper-pulling operation the toe end of the upper occupy as nearly as possible the same relation to the heel end that it is to have in the completed shoe. The machine herein shown is adapted to operate upon the uppers of shoes of various sizes; and in view of the fact that there is commonly a progressive variation in the position of the toe ends of lasts in relation. to the heel ends, considered with reference to the height ofthe lastthroughout a series of lasts of different sizes, and a corresponding variation in the relation betweenthe toe and heel ends of the uppers, the invention further provides a construction such that Without the necessity for preliminary adjustment there is a substantially corresponding variation in the position of the upper-pulling means in relation to the heel-end form in operating upon uppers of di'erent sizes. More particularly, the construction is such that the upper-pulling means,'in its movement toward or from the heel-end form, has a component of movement also heightwise of the form, so that it is necessarily positioned diierently heightwise of the form in operating upon uppers of different lengths, such differences in position corresponding substantially to the differ ences in the relation between the toe and heel t saidA means for downward as well as forward movement in applying its pull to the upper.

In accordance with still another feature ofv the invention there is provided novel means for controlling in the upper-shaping operation portions of the upper located forwardly of its heel end. As illustrated, this means comprises grip rs arranged to grip the marginal portion o the upper at its opposite sides in locations beyond the front endI of the heelend form to assist in positioning the upper relatively to the form. More particularly, the grippers in the construction shown are arranged to hold at a predetermined height the margin of the upper which they engage,

so that regardless of the pull applied at the i forepart the proper amount of margin will be maintained at the opposite sides ofthe form in position to be wiped inwardly over the bottom face of the form in the upper-shaping operation. Additionally the grippers are arranged to position and hold the opposite sides of the upperin front of the form in closer relation to each other than they otherwise would be in the upper-pulling operation, so that the pull will be applied with the sides of the upper between its toe and heel ends more nearly in the relation to each other than they are to have in the finished shoe than if they were permitted to assume positions as far apart as they naturally would under the iniluence of upper-pulling means of the character hereinbefore described. It will be evident that in this respect the grippers have also a useful function in coperation with the means that shapes the heel end of the upper over the form, since they hold the sides of the heel end of the upper close to the sides of the form in preparation for the operation of the up erf-shaping means thereon. In the constructlon shown the grippers are manually operative each independently of the other to grip and position the upper in the manner described.

The novel features of the invention, in-

, cluding various novel details of construction and combinations of (partswill.now be more particularly describe by reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the'drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in right hand side elevation and partly in section, of a portion of a machine in which the invention is embodied; v

Fig. 2 is a view substantially in left hand side elevation, on a lar er scale, showing a portion of the structure illustrated in 1;'

Fi .'3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing e parts their idle positions;

:prima Fig. 4 is a view of the upperulling means in front elevation, with parts roken away;al 1d p F1 5 is a section substantially on the line V- of Fig. 2.

Since in its general or'anization the machine herein shown is o? substantially the same construction as the` machine disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent,

except as modified for purposes of the present invention, only such parts as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of the invention will be described in detail. The machine is provided with a heel-end form 10 which is substantially coterminous at its front end with the heel-end portion of the upper, and with means for shaping or molding the heel-end portion of upper materials over the form and over an insole on the bottom face of the form, the upper-shaping means comprising a. heel band; 12for clamping and shaping the upper about the rear end and the sides of the form and wipers 14 for wiping the marginal portion of the heel end of the upper inwardly over the insole. There is also provided means (not shown) for driving tacks through holes 16 v' in the wipers to fasten the marginal portion of the upper to the insole. The proper relavtion of the insole to the form is determined by pins 18 which. project from the form through holes in the insole. The form is detachably mounted on a work support comprising a carrier 20 mounted at 22 on the base of the machine for swinging movement to carry the form from a work-receiving position (Fig. 1) into position to present thel work to the upper-shaping means. The movement of the work support and the operation of the upper-shaping means are effected automatically by mechanism which it is unnecessary to describe for an understanding of the present invention. The upper and the insole are mounted on the form 10 when the form is in its work-receiving positiomand the heel end of the upper is positioned in ill proper relation to the form by the use of a Jigging device 24 which has means for engaging the marginal portion of the upper in jig holes formed therein land is utilized in the manner disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, this device being Withdrawn from its operative position before the a forward pull prior to the rearward movement of the form. The machine herein shown is intended .to operate upon uppers the toe-end `portions of which have been previously molded each substantially to j the shape desired for the finished shoe, and for pnl ing the upper as above described .the machine is provided with an upper-pulling member 26 which engages the inside of the forepart of the upper and is so constructed as to( conform substantially to the shape of the entire molded toe and also to the desired contour of a. substantial portion of the forepart of the upper at the rear of the toe. In other words, the member 26 is substantially of the shape of a portion of the forepart of a last extending from the end of the toe to a position considerably at the rear of the toe portion of the upper. As illustrated, the toe of the upper is molded as required for a welt shoe and is therefore provided with an inturned marginal portion a under which the member 26 projects, so that the latter supports the forcpart ofthe upper after it has been inserted therein. The member 26 is detachably secured by screws 28 upon an angularly shaped carrier 30 having a rearwardly extending portion supported by a rod 32 and a shaft 34 upon the upper ends of parallel links 36 and 38. These links at their lower ends' are supported for swinging movements on rods 40 and 42 respectively which are mounted in a bracket 44 supported for adjustment about an upright rod 46, this rod being mounted 1n a bracket 48 secured on the lfront face of the work support member 20.l The adjustment of the bracket 44 about the rod 46 serves to position the upper-pulling member 26 for pulling movement in a direction corresponding to the lateral swing of the upper, and after adjustment the bracket is secured in proper position by means of screws 50, one at each side thereof, which engage lugs formed on the fixed bracket 48. The links 36 and 38 are so inclined that the upper-pulling member 26 tends to move forwardly in a downwardly inclined curved path'under the iniiuence of gravity, such movement being limited when there is no work in the machine by means of a stop 52 on the bracket 44' in engagement with the link 36. To bring the member 26 into position to engage and pull the forepart of an upper, the operator moves the carrier 30 rearwardly to such position as is required by the size of upper upon which the machine isto operate, and after positioning 'the forepart of the upper in proper relation to the upper-pulling member he releases the carrier, whereupon a pull is applied to the upper under the influence of gravity.v lSuch a pull, however, is only a comparatively light pull, sufiicient to hold the heel end of the upper at that time from slipping downwardly over the form 10 and also to take up such slack as there may be between the toe and heel ends of the upper preparatory to a further pull of predetermined extent whereby the upper spaced portions of the link 38 and having ratchet teeth 56 thereon, and a pawl 58 arranged to engage the teeth 56 and pivoted at l60 on a pawl carrier 62 which is mounted to swing on the rod 42. 4For operating the pawl carrier 62 there is provided a crank arm 64 fast on a rock shaft 66 mounted in the bracket 44, this rock shaft being provided with a crank pin 68 connected by a link 70 to the pawl carrier. The arm 64 is movable between fixed limits determined by stops 72 and 74 (Fig. l) on the bracket 44, so that it acts always to impart the same amount of vmovement to the pawl 58 and therefore to the upperpulling member 26, the arrangement being such that when the arm is in engagement with the stop 74 the crank pin 68 is on dead center so that the pull on the upper is automatically maintained after the operator releases the 'arm 64. The pawl 58 is controlled by a spring 76 which tends to swing it into engagement with the ratchet teeth 56, but initially the pawl is held out of engagement with the teeth by a member 7 8 which is mounted on a bracket 80 depending from the bracket '44 and is arranged to engage a pin 82 on the pawl, as shown in Fig. 3. This leaves the upper-pulling member 26 free to be moved by the operator into position to con nect with the upper, as hereinbefore described- It will be evident that by the action of the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism in combination with the means for `subjecting the upper preliminarily to a light pull sufficient to take up the slack between its toe and heel ends every upper is subjected to a pull of substantially the same extent.

The use of an upper-pulling member 26 constructed as above described to conform to the contour of the entire molded toe and having the shape also of a portion of a last extending a substantial distance rearwardly of the toe is of particular advantage not only in avoiding distortion of the previously molded toe by the pull applied to the upper, but also by reason of the fact that the pull applied is substantially in line with all portions of the heel end of the upper throughout the height of the heel end form 10, so that the heel end of the upper and also portions of the upper between its toe and heel ends are uniformly stretched. Furthermore, by the action of the parallel links 36 and 38 the upper-pulling member is maintained in substantially unvarying angular relation to the heel-end form during the pull, which is a further advantage for the purposes in view. Still another desirable characteristic,.consid ered especially with reference to the pulling of uppers of different sizes, is the arrangement hereinbefore referred to whereby the upper-pullingmember 26 has a component of movement heightwise of the form 10. In operating upon uppers of different sizes heel-v end forms of correspondingly different sizes will be used, but these forms will be so mounted that their bottom faces, which are uppermost in the machine, will be at the samel height relatively to the wipers 14 and the edges of their bottom faces in the same plane, and accordingly the heel ends of the different uppers also should be positioned at substantially the same height and with their b0ttom\ edges in substantiallythe same plane. In

. lview, however, of the well-known variation in the relation between the-toe and heel ends of uppers of different sizes, corresponding to variation in the shapes of the lasts, the toel ends of the different uppers the heel ends of which are thus positioned will naturally tend g to assume positions at differentheights in the machine, the toe endsof the smaller uppers occupying higher positions than the toe ends of the larger' sizes. It will be evident that in operating upon the smaller uppers the member 26 is necessarily positioned nearer the form 10 than in operating upon the larger uppers, and in view of the manner in which the member is mounted for movement in an inclined path, it necessarily follows that its height will vary in proportion to its distance from the form, so that it will assume positions at different heights in relationy to the form corresponding substantially to the positions naturally assumed by the toes of the uppers of different sizes. The pull is accordingly applied to each upper with its toe end substantially'- in its natural relation to theheel end, which contributes further to uniformity in the pulling of the upper `Without distortion. d To assist in avoiding any danger of excessive strain on the extreme end of the toe portion of the upper, there is further provided means for clamping the top of the forepart of the upper against the upperpulling member 26. For this purpose there is mounted for upward and downward move- Y mentl along guideways on the carrier 30 a slide 84 which carries a clamp member 86 v having an upper face of substantially the pulling members which may be mounted 'on the carrier 30, For operating the slide 84 there is provided a crank arm 92 fast on the shaft 34 which affords a connection between the carrier 30 and the link 38 as hereinbefore described, this shaft being rotatable relatively to the carrier and the link. The shaft 34 carries a crank pin 94 which by means of a pair of links 96 is connected to the slide 84. Movements of the crank arm 92 in opposite directions are limited by stops 98 and 100 on the carrier 30. When the crank arm is in the position determined' by the stop 100, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the crank pin 94 is on dead center, so that the clamping pressure on the upper is automatically maintained. The clamping ressure is preferably applied vto the upper a ter thelight pull effected by the member 26 under the influence of gravity and priorto the operation of the .crank arm 64 to apply the additional pull.

Further to assist in shaping the upper properly over the heel-end form and over the insole, the machine is provided with means forengaging and controlling portions of the upper located forwardly of but near its heelend. This means comprises, at each side of the upper, a gripper (Fig. 5) having a pair of jaws 102 and 104 arranged to grip and hold the u-pstanding marginal portion of the upper in a location correspond- -ing to that of the shank portion of the insole. Each pair o f -aws is supported on an arm 106v mounted' or swinging movement laterallyof the form 10 on a rod 108 which 1s fast in .a support or holder 110 mounted as hereinafter described upon a block-112 which is slidable upwardly and downwardly on the upper Aend of the previously mentionedrod 46. For preventing the block 112 from turning on the rod 46 and for adjust` ing -it upwardly or downwardly, there is provided a screw 114 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is threaded in the bracket 48 and extends throu h a slot in the block, this screw being provi ed with upper and lower flanges 116, 118 which engage the upper and lower faces of the block respectively. Each gripper jaw 102 has a shank portion 120 slidingly mounted in a socket in its/supporting arm 106 and backed by a spring 122 against the resistance of which the jaw is movable in the gripping of the upper, movement of thej aw in the opposite direction being limited by nuts 124 mounted on the endof a rod. 126 projecting from the shank portion 120, one of the nuts being arranged to engage the arm 106. The

other gripper jaw 104 is pivotally mounted at 128 between upwardly extending spaced portions of the arm 106 and has an upwardly extending shank portion connected by a link 130 to one arm 132 of a bell-crank lever pivoted at 134 on the arm 106, the other arm 136 of the bell-crank lever being arranged to serve as a handle for controlling the jaw 104. It willbe seen thatthe link 130 and of a toggle which is straightened by movement of the handle 136 to impart uppergripping movement to the jaw 104 and is broken to release the upper, the straightenthe arm 132 constitute, in effect, the two arms 'isc a pin 138 on the arm 106. ,It wlll be understood that the spring 122 is yieldable to permit such movement of the members 130, 132

as is necessary to bring them into the positions determined by the pin 138, irrespective of the thickness of the upper materials, and when the members are in the positions thus determined they maintain those posit1ons automatically by reason of the fact vthat the toggle elements are in substantially parallel relation, 'so that the grip on the upper 1s maintained until the operator is ready to release it by lifting the handle 136. For controlling each arm 106 with respect to swmging movement about the rod 108 there 1s provided a pawl 140 mounted on the arm and arranged to engage ratchet teeth 142 on the holder 110, this pawl being controlled by a spring 144.

In the use of the above-descrlbed gripper mechanism, the operator inserts the marginal portion of the upper materials at the opposite sides of the shank portlon of the insole between the open gripper jaws 102,

104 after the upper has been subjected to the light preliminary pull of the member 26 under the influence of gravity and before the upper is subjected to the further pull eifected by movement of the crank arm 64 in the manner hereinbefore described. The margin of the upper is thus inserted far enough within the gripper jaws for its edge to en gage that portion of the arm 106 which extends over the jaws, and accordingly the grippers are utilized to determine the height of the marginal edge of the portions Vof the upper which they engage and thus to determine the amount of projection of the opposite sides of the heel end of the upper above the bottom face of the form 10. After inserting the margin of the upper in this manner within either pair of jaws the operator moves the jaw 104 into gripping relation to the upper by downward movement of the handle 136. It will be understood that this operation is performed first at one side of the upper and then at the other side, the two pairs of jawsbeing at that time far enough apart to permit the opposite side portions of the upper, in the positions which they naturally assume in response to the light pull of the member 26, to be inserted conveniently between the jaws. After the upper has thus been gripped the operator swings the arms the forepart of the upper the proper amount of margin will be maintained aboveV the insole at the opposite sides of-the form 10 to be wlpe'd inwardly over the insole by the operatlon of the wipers 14. The grippers add1t1ona1ly hold the opposite sides of the upper forwardly of the heel-end form close to the edges of the insole, so that the pull is V applied at the forepart with the sides of t e upper more nearly in the relation to each other that they are to have '1n the finlshed shoe than if they were permitted to assume the spaced relation that they naturally would under the force of the pull. It will be further evident that the grippers thus 'h old the heel end of the upper close to the sldes of the form and thereby facilitate the proper operation of the up er-clamping and wlpmg means on that portlon of the up er.

The construction ofthe above deseri ed upper-gripplng means is further such that under the force of the pull applied to the forepart of the upper by the member 26 after the grippers have engaged the upper the grlppers are permitted to move forwardly" 1n res onse to the action of the upper thereon. or this purpose the holder 110 is pivotally mounted at 146 on the block 112 to swmg about an axis extending laterall of the form 10. The holder is maintains initially in a position determined by engagement of a portion of it with the block 112 by the action of spring-controlled plungers 148 whlch are mounted in the block 112 and engage lngers 150 which roject downwardly from the holder, these p ungers being yieldable to permit the forward movement of the grzppers in response to the action of the upper thereon as described.

In the operation of the machine, briefly summarized, the operator mounts the assem- -bled upper materials about the heel-end form 10 and then pushes the carrier 30 rearwardly toward the form far enough to permit the previously molded toe-end portion of the upper to be mounted in proper position upon the upper-pulling member 26, the machine having been previously provided with a form 10 and with a member 26 each of the size corresponding to the size of the upper upon which the machine is to operate. Having mounted the forepart of the upper on the member 26, the operator releases the carrier 30, whereupon the member 26 subjects the upper to a comparatively light forward pull about the form 1.0 under the influence of gravity upon the parts supported by the parallel links 36 and 38. This serves to take up all slack in the upper between its toe and heel ends and also to hold the heel end of the upper temcarrier 30, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Thereafter he adjusts the heel-endportion of the upper materials in the proper relation to the form, utilizing the jigging device 24 in the manner described in the previously mentioned Letters Patent. The next step is to insert the marginal portion of the upper at each side between the gripper jaws 102, 104 and t6 close these jaws on the upper, first at one side and then at the other side, by downward movement of the handles 136,l after which the gripper-carrying arms 106 are swung inwardly to position the upper close to the opposite side edges of the'insole, these arms being retained by the pawls 140 in the positions to which they are moved. The operator then moves t e clamp member 86 into position to clamp the upper against the member 26 by movement of the crank arm 92 to the position determined by the stop 100, and thereafter swings the crank arm 64 to operate the pawl 58 and thereby impart to the upper-pulling member 26 and the clamp member 86 a movement of predetermined eX- I tent to subject the upper to a further lengthwise pull. As the upper is thus pulled the grippers 102, 104 are swung forwardly more or less against the resistance of the spring plungers 148 by the action of the upper thereon.

Having performed the operations above described, the operator starts the power operation of the machine, whereupon the shoe support 20 and the parts supported thereon, including the upper-pulling means and the upper-gripping means, are swung rearwardly to carry the heel-end portion of the upper into position to be operated upon by the clamp member 12, thev wipers 14 and the 'means for fastening the upper to the insole, the jigging device 24 being withdrawn from its operative position prior to the rearward movement of the shoe support, as explained in the previously mentioned Letters Patent. After the operations upon the heel-end portion of the upper have been completed, the upper isjreleased by the wiping and clamping means and the shoe support 20 is swung forwadly'to its n starting position. The operator then disconnects the side grippers from the upper by raising the handles 136 and after lifting the pawls 140`swings the grippers outwardly away from the upper. Thereafter he returns the crank arms 64 and 92 to their starting positions, thus releasing the upper from the pull applied by the pawl 58 and from the clamping pressure of the member 86, and he then pushes the carrier forwardly far enough to permit the upper to be disconnected from the member 26 and to be conveniently removed from the form 10.

While the invention is herein illustrated as applied to a machine for operating upon uppers the toe ends of which have been previousa ly molded each substantially to the shape asians desired for the finished shoe, it is to be understood that in many of its novel aspects the invention is not thus limited in utility, and also that it is not limited to a machine in which the heel end of the upper is shaped over a form of the particular construction herein shown.

Havlng described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe and the sides of which are in unlasted condition, said upper-pulling means being arranged to engage the inside of the upper before the upper is mounted on a last and being shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the entire molded toe portion of the upper.

2. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pullmg means being arranged to engage the inside of the upper and being shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the entire molded toe portion of the upper. y

3. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers,

means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe and the sides of which are in unlasted condition, said upperpulling means being arranged to engage the upper inside of the forepart before the upper is mounted on a last and being shaped to conform substantially to the contour ofthe previously molded toe and also to the desired contour of a portion ofthe upper at the rear of the toe. l Y

4. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means forshaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper -to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means com-' prising a member arranged to engage the upper inside of the forepart and having substantially the shape of a portion of a last extending from the end of the toe to a location a substantial distance at the rear of the molded toe portion of the upper.

5. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the -hee1-end portion of an upper over a form, of

upper inside of the forepart and being so constructed as to conform substantlally to the desired shape of the upper from the end of the toe to a location a substantial distance at the rear of the toe portion of the upper.

6. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shapmff the heel-end portion of an upper over a brm, of means for subjecting the upper to a length- Wise pull relatively to said form, said upperpulling' means comprising a member arranged to engage the upper inside of the forepart and having substantially the shape of a portion of a last of the size and style corresponding to the upper.

7. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe and the sides of which are in unlasted condition, said means being shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the inside of the entire molded toe portion of the upper and being movable in such a path as to maintain it'in substantially the same angular relation to the heel end of the upper during the upper-pulling operation. 4 y

8. In a machine for shaping shoe up ers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pu l an upper the toe-end portion o f which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means being shaped to `conform substantially to the contour of the inside of the molded toe portion of the upper and being movable in a curved path while maintaining substantially the same angular relation to the heel end of `the upper during the upper-pulling operation.

9. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the inside of the molded toe portion of the upper, and parallel links supporting said member for upper-pulling movement and arranged to maintain the member in substantially the same angular relation to the heel end of the upper throughout -that movement.

10. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for. shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means being shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the previously molded toe and also to the desired contour of a portion of the upper at the' rear of the toe and being mounted for movement in such a path as to maintain it in substantially the same angular relation to said form during the upper-pulling operation.

11. In a machine for'shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said forrn, said upper-pulling means comprising a. member arranged to engage the upper inside of the forepart and shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the previously molded toe and also to the desired contour of a portion of the upper at the rear of the toe, and parallel links supporting said member for upper-pulling movement and arranged to maintain the member in substantially the same angular relation to said form throughout that movement.

12.` In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper fover a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means being shaped to conform substantially to the desired contour of the forepart of the upper from the end of the toe to a location a substantial distance at the rear of the toe and being movable in such a path as to maintain it in substantially the same angular relation to said form during the upperpulling operation.

13. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said yupper-pulling means comprising a member having substantially the yshape of a p-ortion of a last extending from the end of the toe rearwardly and movable in such a path as to maintain it in substantially the same angular relation to said form during the upper-pulling operation.

14. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means comprising a member having substantially the shape of a portion of a last extending from the end of the toe rearwardly, and parallel links supporting said member for upper-pulling movement and arranged to maintain the member in substantially the same angular relation to said form throughout that movement.

15. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers,

-the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means comprisinga device arranged to engage the forepart of the upper, and parallel l'n s supporting said device for upper-pulling movement and arranged to maintain the device in substantially the same angular relation to said foi-in throughout that movement. y

16. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, thc combination with means for shaping tli'e heel ends of uppers of different sizes the toeend portions of which have been previously molded each substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting each upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its molded toe-end. portion, said upper-pulling means comprising a carrier adapted to support upper-pulling members of different sizes each shaped to conform substantially to the contour ofthe molded toe-end of the corresponding upper,

) and said carrier being operatively movable in such a path as to position each upperpulling member in substantially the same angular relation to the means for shaping the heel end of the upper regardless of the size of the upper.

17. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel ends of uppers of different sizes the toeend portions of which have been previously molded each substantially to the shape desired for the finshed shoe, of means for subjecting each upper to a lengthwise pullby'engagement with its molded toe-end portion, said upper-pulling means comprising a carrier adapted to support upper-pullingmembers of different sizes each shaped to conform substantially to the contour of -the molded toe end of the corresponding upper, and parallel links supporting said carrier for operative movement in such a path as to position each upper-pulling member in substantially the saine angular relation to the means for shaping the heel end of the upper regardless of the size of the upper. l l

18. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting uppers of different sizes each to a lengthwise pull relatively to a form engaging its heel-end portion before the sides of the upper are lasted, said means being arranged to act on the forepart of the upper and being operatively movable in such a path as to assume different positions hcightwise of the form in operating respectively on uppers of different sizes.

19. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting uppers of different sizes each to a lengthwise pull relatively to a form engaging its heel-end portion with the upper in substantially inverted position, saidl means being arranged to act on the forepart of the upper and being operatively movable in such a path as to assume a higher position in operating on the upper of a small shoe tan in operating on the upper of a large 20. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting uppers of diierent sizes each to a lengthwise pull relatively to a form 7G engaving its heel-end portion with the upper in substantially inverted position, said means being arranged to act on the toe portion of the upper and being operatively movable in a downwardly inclined path to cause it to 'i5 assume different positions heightwise of the heel endof the upper in operating i'cspectively on uppers of different sizes.

21. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting uppersof different sizes each toa lengthwise ull relatively to a form engaging its heel-endp portion, said means being arranged to act on the toe portion of the upper, and parallel links supporting said upper-pulling means for operative movement 55 in a path so inclined as to cause said means to assume different positions heightwise of the form in operating respectively on uppers of different sizes.

22. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel ends of uppers of different sizes the toe ends of which have been previously molded each substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting each upper to a forward pull by engagement with its molded toe-end portion, said upperpulling means being so mounted as to have a substantial component of movement heightwise of the upper as well as movement lengthwise thereof to position it differently in relation vto said upper-shaping means for operating respectively on uppers of different sizes.

23. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel ends of uppers of different sizes the toe ends of which have been previously molded each substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting i each upper to a forward pull by engagement with its molded toe-end portion, said upper-pulling means comprising a carrier arranged to support upper-pulling members of different sizes shaped to conform substantially to the contours of the insides of the molded toes of different sized uppers, and said carrier'being so mounted as to have a y substantial component of movement heightwise of the upper as well as movement length- Wise thereof to position the upper-pulling members differently for operating respectively on uppers of different sizes.

24. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel ends of uppers of different sizes the toe ends of which have been previously molded each substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjectingl each upper to a forward pull by engagement with its` molded. toeend portion, said upper- 1,30

. pulling means comprising a carrierarranged to support upper-pulling members of different sizes'shaped to conform substantially to the contours of the insides of the molded toes of different sized uppers, and parallel links supporting said carrier for movement in a direction inclined heightwise of the upper to position the upper-pulling members diierently for operating respectively ,on uppers of different sizes.

25. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting an upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to a form engaging its heel-end portion before thel sides of the upper are lasted, said means comprising an upper-pulling member arranged to engage the toe-portion of -the upper and operatively movable in a direction inclined away from the bottom edge of the upper.

26. In a machine for shaping` shoe uppers,

. means for subjecting an upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to a form engaging its heel-end portion with the upper in substantiolly inverted position, said means comprising an upper-pulling member arranged to engage the toe portion of the upper and operatively movable in a downwardly inclined path.

27. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting an upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to a form engaging its heel-end portion, said means comprising a member arranged to engage the toe portion of the upper, and parallel links supporting the said member for operative movement in a path inclined heightwise of the upper.

28. In a machine for shaping slice uppers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an unlasted upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the inside of the molded toe portion of the upper and operatively movable in a path inclined heightwise of the upper.

29. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the inside ofthe molded toe portion of the upper, and parallel links supporting said member for operative movement in a path inclined heightwise of the upper.

30. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its molded toe-end portion, said means forepart of an upper with the upper in substantially inverted position, said means being movable by gravity in a downwardly inclined path to subject the upper to a lengthwise pull.

33. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers,

means for subjecting an upper to a length- Wise pull by engagement with its forepart, said means comprising an upper-pulling member and Swingin links supporting said member for upper-pu ling movement lengthwise of the upper by gravity. A

34. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting an upper to a length- Wise pull by engagement with its forepart, said means being movable by the operator lengthwise of the upper into position to connect with the upper and reversely movable by gravity to pull the upper when released by the operator.

35. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of'means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to the form by engagement with its forepart, said upper-pulling means being so mounted as to be moved lengthwise of the upper by gravity to apply the pull.

36. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the inside of the molded toe portion of the upper and movable by gravity to pull the upper.

37. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the inside of the molded toe portion of the upper, and parallel links supporting said member for movement by gravity to pull the upper.

38. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, an upper-pulling device arran ed to engage the forepart of an upper an movable by gravity lengthwise of the upper to pull the .j

upper, and means for operating said device to subject the upper to a further pull.

39. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, an u per-pulling device arranged to engage the orepart of an upper and movable by gravity lengthwise of the upper to pullthe upper, and mechanism having a predetermined range of movement for imparting to said device a further upper-pulling movement of definite extent.

40. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, an upper-pulling member arranged to engage the forepartof an upper,l parallel links supporting said member for upper-pulling l5 movement by gravity, and manually operated means for imparting to said member a further upper-pulling movement of predetermined extent.

41. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers,

means for subjecting to a lengthwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the inside of the molded toe portion of the upper and movable by gravity to pull the uper, and means for imparting to said memr additional movement to subject the upper to a further pull.

42. In a machine for shapin shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lengt wise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member arranged to engage the upper inside of the molded toe, and means for clamping the upper against said member in the upper-pullmg operation.

43. In a machine for shapin shoe uppers, means for subjecting to a lenglwise pull an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, said means comprising an upper-pulling member arranged to engage the upper inside of the molded toe and so constructed as to conform substantially to the shape of the toe, and means for clamping the top of the forepart of the upper against said member in the upper-pulling operation.

44. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of members constructed and arranged to clamp the molded toe portion of the upper between them and movable relatively to said form to subject the upper to a lengthwise pull.

45. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping 35 over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of a member arranged to engage the upper inside of the molded toe for subjecting it to a lengthwise pull, a carrier supporting said member and movable relatively to the form to pull the upper, and a clamp member mounted on said carrier for movement into or out of position to clamp the top of the forepart of the upper against said upper-pulling member.

46. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel-end portion of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means comprising a member arranged to engage the inside of the toe portion of the upper and so constructed as to conform substantially to the desired shape of the toe, and means for clamping the upper against said member in the upper-pulling operation.

47. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with 'means for shapin the heel-end portion of an upper over a orm, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means comprising a member arranged to engage the upper inside of the forepart and having substantially the shape of a portion of a last extending from the end of the toe rearwardly, a carr1er supporting said member for upper-pulling movement relatively to the form, and a clamp member supported on said carrier for movement into or out of position to clamp the top of the forepart of the upper against said upperpulling member.

48. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shapin the heel-end portion of an upper over a gorm, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull relatively to said form, said upper-pulling means comprising a member arranged to engage the upper inside of the forepart, a carrier supporting said member, parallelv links on which said carrier is mounted for upper-pulling movement, a clamp member supported by said carrier for clamping the upper against said upper-pulling member, and means on said carrier for moving said clalnp member into or out of clamping position.

49. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with lneans for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for determining by engagement with the marginal edge of the upper at its opposite sides in locations forwardly of its heel end portion the amount of projection of the opposite sides of the heel end of the upper beyond the bottom face of the form preparatory to the upper-shaping operation.

50. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers,

the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, ofgrippers arranged to determine by engagement with the marginal edge of the u per at its op osite sides in locations forwar ly of its hee end portion the amount of projection of the opposite sides of the heel end of the upper beyond the bottom face of the form and to hold/the o posite sides of the upper in the positions tiius determined during a portion at least of the upper-shaping operation.

51. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of grippers arranged to grip the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion and to determine by engagement with the marginal edge of the upper the amount of projection of the opposite sides of the heel end of the upper beyond the bottom face of the form preparatory to the upper-shapingoperation, said gri pers being movable to draw the opposite si es of the up er toward each other.

52. n a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of grippers arranged to grip the op osite sides of the upper in locations forwar ly of but near its heel-end portion to control it in the upper-shaping operation, said grippers being movable each independently of the other to draw the opposite sides of the upper toward each other, and a pawl-and-ratchet device associated with each gripper for holding it against reverse movement.

53. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form with the upper in substantially inverted position, of

` grippers arranged to grip the opposite sides of the u per in locations forwardly of but near its eel-end portion to control it in the upper-shaping operation, said grippers being mounted for swinging movements each independently of the other about axes located below the form to draw the opposite sides of the up er toward each other, and a device associatedJ with each gripper for holdingit against reverse movement.

54. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form substantially coterminous at its front end with the heel-end portion of the upper, of means arranged to determine by engagement with the marginal edge of the upper at its opposite sides in locations between its forepart and said form the amount of projection of the opposite sides of the heel end of the upper beyond the bottom vface of the form.

55. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form substantially coterminous at its front end with the heel-end portion of the upper of grippers arranged to grip the oppositesides of the upper 1n locations between its forepart and said form to control it in the upper-shaping 56. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, i y:

operation.

\ heel-end portion of the uipper and also over an insole on the form, means for engaging the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardl of said form to position them substantially adjacent to the edges of the shank portion of the insole in the uppershapin operation.

58. n a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form substantially coterminous at its front end with the heel-end portion of the upper and also over an insole on the form, of grippers arranged to grip the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardly of said form and movable to position the sides of the upper substantially adjacent to the edges of the shank portion of the insole preparatory to the uppershapin operation.

59. n a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its forepart, and grippers arranged to grip the op osite sides of the upper in locations forwar ly of but near its heel-end portion to control it in the uppershaping operation, said grippers being mounted for forward movement in response to the ull applied to the upper.

60. n a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its forepart, and grippers arranged to grip the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion to control it in the uppershaping operation, said grippers being mounted for swinging movement lengthwise of the upper in response to the pull applied to the upper, and spring means against the resistance of which the grippers are. thus movable.

61. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the 'Sil ' heel end of an upper overa form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its orepart, and grippers arranged to grip the opposite sides oi the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion to maintain the proper alnount of projection of the opposite sides of-the heel end of the upper beyond the bottom face of the form irrespective of the pull applied at the forepart, said grippers being constructed to determined the position ofthe upper by engagement with its marginal ed ge.

62. In a machine for shaping shoe uppersf the combination with means for shaping the heel end of. an upper over a form with the upper in substantially inverted position, of means movable in a downwardly inclined path in engagement with the forepart of the upper to subject the upper to a lengthwise pull, and means for maintaining the opposite sides of the heel end of the upper at a predetermined height irrespective of the pull applied at the forepart.

63. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shapingl 'the heel end of an upper over a form, of upperpulling means arranged to engage the forepart of the upper and movable in a path inclined heightwise of the upper to subject it to a lengthwise pull, and grippers arranged to grip the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion and to determine the amount of projection of the opposite sides of the heel end of the upper beyond the bottom face of the form irrespective of the pull applied at the forepart.

64. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its forepart, said upperpulling means comprising a member having substantially the shape of a portion at least of the forepart of a last extending from the end of the toe rearwardly, and means for engaging the opposite sides of the upper in locations between its forepart and its heelend portion and for maintaining them in positions closer to each other than they would otherwise assume under the force of the pull applied at the forepart.

65. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping the heel end of an upper over a form, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its forepart, said upperpulling means comprising a member having substantially the shape of a portion at least of the forepart of a last extending from the end of the toe rearwardly, and grippers arranged to grip the opposite sides of the upper in locations between its forepart and its heel-end portion and to maintain them in positions closer to each other than they would otherwise assume under the force of the pull applied at the forepart.

66. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its molded toe-end portion, and means for engaging and controlling the opposite side portions of the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion in the upper-shaping operation.

67. 1n a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a. lengthwise pull by engagement with its molded toe-end portion, said upper-pulling means comprising a member shaped to conform substantially to the cont-our of the molded toe, and grippers arranged to engage the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion and to maintain the portions thus engaged in predetermined relation to the form in the upper-shaping operation.

G8. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portionof an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its molded toe-end portion, said upperpulling means comprising a member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the molded toe and also substantially to the desired contour of a portion of the upper at the rear of the toe, and grippers arranged to en-` gage the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion and to maintain them in positions closer to each other than they would otherwise assume under the force of the pull applied by said upper-pulling member.

69. In a machine for shaping shoe uppers, the combination with means for shaping over a form the heel-end portion of an upper the toe-end portion of which has been previously molded substantially to the shape desired for the finished shoe, of means for subjecting the upper to a lengthwise pull by engagement with its molded toe-endportion, said upper-pulling means comprising a member shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the molded toe and movable in a direction inclined relatively to the height of the form to pull the upper, and grippers arranged to engage the opposite sides of the upper in locations forwardly of but near its heel-end portion and to determine the posi- ERIC A. HOLMGREN. 

